Year in Review – Tech News Highlights

As 2023 draws to a close, let’s take a moment to revisit the noteworthy events that defined the tech industry this year. From significant occurrences and the year’s top 10 largest tech layoffs to notable data breaches and memorable Internet moments. Join us as we reflect on and summarize the impactful moments that shaped the tech landscape in 2023.

Data Breaches in 2023: Notable Incidents from MOVEit, Capita, CitrixBleed, and others

In 2023, data breaches took center stage, with hackers exploiting vulnerabilities in popular file-transfer tools and targeting various organizations. Healthcare breaches, as reported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, affected over 88 million individuals. Notable breaches include Fortra GoAnywhere, where a zero-day vulnerability was exploited, compromising more than 130 companies.

The Royal Mail fell victim to a ransomware attack in January, causing disruption and data theft. The software-based phone system maker 3CX, experienced a supply-chain attack orchestrated by the Lazarus Group. U.K. outsourcing giant Capita faced cybersecurity incidents, exposing sensitive data. MOVEit Transfer, another file-transfer tool, saw mass exploitation, affecting over 2,600 organizations and almost 84 million individuals.

In September, China-backed hackers breached Microsoft’s email signing key, while Citrix NetScaler systems faced mass hacks in October. In December, 23andMe confirmed a data breach, with hackers stealing the ancestry data of 7 million customers. The year underscored the persistent challenges of cybersecurity and the need for heightened measures to protect sensitive information.

Top 10 tech industry layoffs of 2023

2023 was also a year of massive layoffs. We created The Top 7 list based on the magnitude and impact of workforce reductions, considering factors such as the percentage of employees affected, the prominence of the companies involved, and the overall scale of layoffs within the specified timeframe.

1. Meta (Facebook): Layoffs were announced in May 2023. Approximately 21,000 people affected since November.
2. Microsoft: Announced layoffs in March 2023. 10,000 people impacted.
3. Salesforce: Ongoing layoffs since January 2023. Initially announced a 10% workforce cut, affecting over 7,000 employees.
4. Amazon: Announced layoffs in April 2023. A total of 27,000 job cuts, or 8% of Amazon’s corporate workforce this year.
5. Spotify: Layoffs are announced in December: plans to cut 1,500 jobs, approximately 17% of its workforce.
6. Twitter: Announced layoffs in February 2023. More than 200 employees were affected.
7. Mobile Premier League: The company declared on August 8th that it is reducing its workforce by around 50%, equating to 350 individuals being laid off.
8. Olx Group revealed in June that it has eliminated approximately 800 positions worldwide. This decision coincided with the company initiating the closure of its automotive business, Olx Autos, in certain markets.
9. Alphabet (Google’s parent company) – announced its layoffs in January, cutting off 6% of its global workforce, impacting 12,000 employees.
10. Arrival: Slashed 50% of its workforce, impacting 800 employees globally.

Epic Internet Moments of 2023

2023 is marked with memorable and entertaining moments on the Internet. Let’s review some of the most popular ones:

• Balenciaga Pope: An AI image generator, Midjourney 5, went viral when a Redditor transformed Pope Francis II into a Balenciaga model, sparking internet fascination and even celebrity attention.
• George Santos’ Rise to Internet Fame: Expelled congressman George Santos became an unlikely internet influencer, embracing his newfound status despite facing charges and controversies.
• Trump’s Mugshot: Former President Trump’s mugshot became a historic moment, generating both criticism and merch sales. The unusual lighting of the mugshot added an unexpected dimension to the event.
• End of Legacy Verification on Twitter: Elon Musk’s decision to end legacy blue check marks on Twitter caused controversy among celebrities, with many refusing to pay for the new verification system.
• OceanGate and MrBeast: The submersible incident involving OceanGate’s mission to the Titanic, coupled with MrBeast’s related post on X, added a bizarre twist to the year’s internet moments.

Tech events 2023

Google I/O 2023 event

On May 10th, Google’s I/O conference keynote brought forth significant announcements. Google Maps unveiled “Immersive View for Routes,” offering comprehensive route information and introducing Aerial View API and Photorealistic 3D titles for immersive map experiences. Google Search introduced features enhancing image search transparency, including “About This Image” and AI-generated image labeling. The addition of a conversational mode and a “Perspectives” filter expands user interaction. 

Google Photos introduced the AI-powered Magic Editor for advanced photo edits. Google launched PaLM 2, a powerful language model, improving Bard’s capabilities in code writing and debugging. Workspace received AI upgrades with Duet AI, enabling automatic table and image generation, custom backgrounds, smart chips, and a chat interface. Google’s groundbreaking “Universal Translator” can translate videos into different languages, syncing the speaker’s lips with translated speech. These innovations showcase Google’s commitment to advancing AI and enhancing user experiences across various platforms.

Apple event in 2023: Introducing a lineup of new releases

On September 12, 2023, Apple announced groundbreaking releases at their Cupertino headquarters. The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus boast a vibrant design, improved camera system, A16 Bionic chip, and USB-C convenience, starting at $799. The iPhone 15 Pro, Apple’s most advanced, features a titanium design, an A17 Pro chip, a customizable Action button, and Pro-class camera capabilities, starting at $999. 

The Apple Watch Series 9 introduces enhanced performance, new gestures, and carbon-neutral status, starting at $399. The Apple Watch Ultra 2, also carbon-neutral, boasts a display with 3,000 nits brightness, unique features, and a starting price of $799. All products are available for pre-order, with shipments starting on September 22. Additionally, iOS 17 is set for release on September 18, featuring Live Voicemail, FaceTime improvements, redesigned Messages, safety features, and more across Apple’s ecosystem.

Google Pixel Event 2023

On October 4th, 2023, Google held its Pixel Event in New York, unveiling three new products: the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones and the Pixel Watch 2. Alongside these, Google updated the Pixel Buds Pro and released Android 14. The Pixel 8 series introduces AI-driven image improvement tools like Magic Editor, which allows background manipulation, and Best Take, which combines multiple photos for the best group shot. 

The Pixel Watch 2 focuses on health tracking with enhanced heart rate monitoring and stress management sensors. It also introduces the Safety Check feature and offers up to 24 hours of battery life. The Pixel Buds Pro earbuds, priced at $199, feature active noise cancellation, improved sound quality, and wireless charging. Android 14, the new mobile operating system, brings improved customization options, lock screen templates, and AI-driven dynamic changes. The update enhances Google Assistant with Bard and introduces the Call Screen feature to filter and manage calls effectively.

Web Summit 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal

In November, Europe hosted the monumental Web Summit 2023, attracting a staggering 70,236 attendees from 153 countries, featuring over 2,608 startups, and drawing the interest of 906 investors and 2,100+ media representatives. 

The event had some really important guests, like Jimmy Wales, the Founder of Wikipedia; Meredith Whittaker, holding the position of President at Signal; Kuo Zhang, President at Alibaba.com; and Athina Kanioura, the Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer at PepsiCo, Inc. They brought a lot of insight to the discussions.

Among the crucial topics explored, the regulation of AI took center stage, reflecting the collective engagement with profound issues in the tech landscape. The discourse extended beyond AI to encompass a diverse spectrum, including AR/VR technologies, the latest advancements in renewable energy, and other pertinent subjects, making the Web Summit 2023 an intellectual hub of exploration and exchange. The KITRUM team has also joined the Web Summit 2023 and brought bright ideas, meaningful connections, and many insights for the company’s future development.